Problem solving

Critical thinking

Evaluating evidence, assumptions, arguments, credibility, and alternative explanations.

Lesson

Start with the shared skill lesson — objectives, worked examples, and glossary.

Open skill lesson

Diagnostic practice

100 questions published across 10 sections. Every question is written for this skill specifically — no universal or borrowed bank is substituted. Answers are checked on this device only, and the result is an educational practice band for that exercise, never a clinical, diagnostic, or IQ-style score.

Choose a section

This bank has 10 themed sections and 100 questions in total, ordered so the earlier sections are the gentler ones. Sit a single section, or work through the whole bank in one go. Nothing here is timed — the minutes are only a guide.

Section 1: Claims, evidence and opinion

Begin by separating what has actually been observed from what has been asserted, preferred, or inferred. Ask of each statement: could this be checked, and by what?

1. A café owner says: "Our new blend is the best coffee in town." Which part of this statement would be hardest to settle with evidence?
2. Which of these statements is a factual claim that could, in principle, be checked?
3. A report states: "Sales rose after the shop repainted its front, so customers clearly prefer the new colour." Which part of this is the observation rather than the interpretation?
4. A student writes: "The bus was late three times last week, and it was late again today." Which statement does this evidence support most safely?
5. Which of these would count as direct evidence that a library's reading club has grown this year?
6. A newspaper headline reads: "Town's air is cleaner than ever." The article's only support is one resident saying the air "feels fresher". What is the main weakness?
7. Which statement mixes a factual claim with a value judgement?
8. A shop assistant claims the new till system is faster than the old one. Which piece of information would most directly test that claim?
9. "Nobody has proved that the water from the old well is unsafe, so it must be safe to drink." What is wrong with this reasoning?
10. A gardener says: "I used the new feed and my roses bloomed beautifully, so the feed works." What extra information would most help in judging the claim?

0 of 10 answered

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